Divorce
1
When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee
and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.
2
Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked,
"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"
4
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning
the Creator 'made them male and female,'
5
and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother
and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?
6
So they are no longer two, but one.
Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
7
"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that
a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"
8
Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives
because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife,
except for marital unfaithfulfness, and
marries another woman commits adultery."
10
The disciples said to thim, "If this is the situation
between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."
11
Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word,
but only those to whom it has been given.
12
For some are eunuchs because they were born that way;
others were made that way by men;
and others have renounced marriage
because of the kingdom of heaven.
The one who can accept this should accept it."
The Little Children and Jesus
13
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands
on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
15
When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
The Rich Young Man
16
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked,
"Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
But many who are first wll be last,
and many who are last will be first.
